Open Harvard University's Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) applications page to access the application for admission. English falls under the first category of programs of study. The season for applications for fall admission usually lasts from August or September until early December. At other times, the application may not be accessible.
Gather the supplemental material that you will need to submit along with the application. These include a 15- to 20-page analytical paper on a topic relevant to English, transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores and a statement of purpose, outlining your skills, knowledge and professional interests.
Spend your first two years working on your 14 seminar courses. Ten of these must be 200-level courses and six of them must be within the graduate English department.
Start to determine a specific field of study around your second year.
Write your dissertation proposal and get it signed by three advising professors. This must be done by May 15 of your third year of study. This document must be between seven and 10 pages. Make sure to include a bibliography of preliminary sources that you plan to use in your dissertation.
Start teaching introductory courses and discussion sections in your third year of study.
Defend your dissertation at least a week before your graduation.